NEW DELHI: Cristiano Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr's inaugural match in the newly formatted AFC Champions League Elite tournament on Monday due to illness.
The Portuguese forward was diagnosed with a viral infection and advised to rest by the team physician, according to an official statement from Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo's absence comes on the heels of a successful international break with Portugal, where he added to his record-breaking international goal tally with goals against Croatia and Scotland in the UEFA Nations League.
He currently holds the men's record with 132 international goals.
This absence delays Ronaldo's debut in the AFC Champions League Elite, a revamped version of the AFC Champions League that now stands as Asia's premier club competition.
While Ronaldo boasts five UEFA Champions League titles, he has yet to secure a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Saudi Arabian club.
Al-Nassr faced Iraqi club Al-Shorta in their opening match of the tournament without their star forward.
Ronaldo's next opportunity to feature in the competition is scheduled for September 20th, when Al-Nassr host Qatari club Al-Rayyan in Riyadh.
The Portuguese forward was diagnosed with a viral infection and advised to rest by the team physician, according to an official statement from Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo's absence comes on the heels of a successful international break with Portugal, where he added to his record-breaking international goal tally with goals against Croatia and Scotland in the UEFA Nations League.
He currently holds the men's record with 132 international goals.
This absence delays Ronaldo's debut in the AFC Champions League Elite, a revamped version of the AFC Champions League that now stands as Asia's premier club competition.
While Ronaldo boasts five UEFA Champions League titles, he has yet to secure a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Saudi Arabian club.
Al-Nassr faced Iraqi club Al-Shorta in their opening match of the tournament without their star forward.
Ronaldo's next opportunity to feature in the competition is scheduled for September 20th, when Al-Nassr host Qatari club Al-Rayyan in Riyadh.
